Foreign Affairs

Archive for the ‘Foreign Affairs’ Category

Like my colleague, I am speaking as an internationalist in support of the ULA positive addendum to the Technical Group’s motion. The idea that one cannot be pro-Europe if one is against the European Union is nonsense. The current position makes it clear to people everywhere that there is dictatorship by the markets is not an exaggerated claim by left wingers in respect of a global capitalist plot, rather it is the reality in Europe which has been laid bare before the eyes of ordinary Europeans everywhere. What is under way is a monumental assault on democratic rights by European bondholders, bankers and speculators, facilitated by the leadership of the European Union.

We are writing to you to express our outrage at the continuing detention of 14 Irish citizens in Givon prison. The 14 crew of the MV Saorise alongside the crew of the Canadian vessel Tahrir where kidnapped by the Israeli navy in international waters and have face ludicrous charges of illegally entering Israel.

If any other country acted in this fashion against Irish citizens the pressure on you to condemn outright such an action would be considerable. However different standards seem to apply to Israel in the world of international diplomacy. Frankly the response of the government has been disgracefully lacking and you personally must take a large share of the responsibility.

Even at this advanced stage we demand that you and press for the immediate release of all those who were kidnapped, condemn the actions of the Israeli state and expel the ambassador for this outrage

Socialist Party/United Left Alliance TDs call on Táiniste to demand no harm be done to activists on the MV Saoirse and Tahrir ships

Urge people to join protest at Spire O’Connell Street today at 6pm

Socialist Party/United Left Alliance TDs Clare Daly and Joe Higgins call on the Táiniste Eamon Gilmore to demand from the Israeli authorities that no harm come to the activists on the Freedom Flotilla, including the MV Saoirse among whose participants in Socialist Party MEP for Dublin Paul Murphy.

“As of 7:40am this morning the MV Saoirse was 82 nautical miles from Gaza and if left unimpeded would arrive at its destination at around 3pm our time. If unimpeded the MV Saoirse will not enter Israeli waters.

“However since yesterday the MV Saoirse has been tracked by two IDF warships and a spotter plane. We are anticipating that the MV Saoirse will be boarded, taken over and forced to dock in an Israeli port, an effective kidnap.

“We call on the Táiniste to demand of the Israeli authorities that the MV Saoirse be allowed to complete its humanitarian mission and that no harm be done to its crew and the crew of the Canadian vessel the Tahrir.

“We encourage people at home to come to the Spire in O’Connell Street today in a solidarity protest with the people of Gaza and the crew of the MV Saoirse and Tahrir.”